Grade the Trade: Mavs land 3&D center in 3-team mock trade with Pacers, Raptors

Grade the trade for the Pacers

The Indiana Pacers would be getting the best player in this deal, and the cost wouldn’t be crazy, as they’d be giving up role players for a two-time All-Star in Pascal Siakam.

Incoming: Pascal Siakam, Tim Hardaway Jr., 2027 First-round pick (Top-3 Protected via DAL)

Outgoing: Myles Turner, Andrew Nembhard, Jalen Smith, 2025 First-round pick (via IND), 2027 First-round pick (Top-10 Protected via IND)

With Tyrese Haliburton already in place, the Pacers already have a star, but adding Siakam to the mix would immediately elevate them to the level of other playoff teams in the East.

Tim Hardaway Jr. could replace Buddy Hield in the rotation, and they would be getting a first-round pick, too. (In reality, it feels like the Toronto Raptors should be getting this first from the Dallas Mavericks instead of the Pacers.)

If this offer were to be placed in front of the Pacers, they would have to seriously consider it, but in the long run, it may be better for them to stick with their current core.

Siakam has made it clear that he might not sign an extension with whatever team trades for him, should he get moved, and for a young, rebuilding Pacers team, that sort of risk doesn’t seem worth it at this stage.

Adding Siakam would likely make the Pacers a playoff team (or at least a Play-In team), but it wouldn’t move the needle enough to make giving up multiple firsts and Myles Turner worth it.

Potential starting lineup: Tyrese Haliburton, Aaron Nesmith, Benedict Mathurin, Pascal Siakam, Jarace Walker

Grade: C+